Joshua Tree Noah Purifoy Outdoor Museum

Desert Art of Joshua Tree California

Welcome to one of the coolest art galleries you will ever visit! This one of a kind art museum is home to the amazing creations of the late great Noah Purifoy. Noah started this art galley here in 1989 on 10 acres of the Mojave Desert. Each piece is made out of junk and represents pretty witty concepts of his experiences! Perhaps the neatest part is Noah spent 15 years contributing to pieces here and creating this work. Nothings has been changed, touched, or moved since his passing 15 years later in 2004. This art is his lasting legacy to Joshua Tree!

The Basics

Like I mentioned, Noah spent 15 years creating these pieces. They have been left to the desert elements and mercy for our very own viewing pleasure! You can walk as much or as little of the 10 acres of art here.

• Hours of Operation: sunup to sundown daily!

• Cost: this is a free gallery, donations to the foundation are accepted

• Tour: you can sign the welcome book at the kiosk and grab a pamphlet for a self guided tour!

• Location: 62975 Blair Ln, Joshua Tree, CA 92252

*this property is under 24/7 surveillance

scan the QR Codes!

Perhaps the coolest part of the experience here is the QR Codes! These squares open a look into the past in the best way possible. Most will open up a picture from when the piece was originally constructed - which could be 30+ years for some!

My favorite sculpture is the ‘Everything but the Kitchen Sink’ in front where you can see the piece in its prime with colorful fabric and freshly aligned. Comparing it to the bared boned one-with-the-sand piece it is today was pretty neat!

Here is a photo of Noah posing with one of his completed pieces from the 90s. I loved seeing what items have stood the test of time like toilets and much of the metals, compared to whats dwindled in the elements like wood, paint and fabric.

The entire property is so cool to walk around because everything is genuinely so unique! The names of his sculptures are so creative and most will surly make you giggle. It is defiantly a photographers dream walking around here.

We had a

who is noah?

Noah Purifoy is an amazing artist who created this installation back in 1989! He was born in Alabama but came to Los Angeles during World War Two. In 1989 he moved out to Joshua Tree where he began working on this.

The themes behind his work represent a lot of his ideas, thoughts, and life experiences. You can feel his stories through his art and interpretations. He has a very successful career and I hope his name always lives on through this gallery.

It has changed so much since he passed in 2004. Looking at VHS machines and retro vacuums made me think, wow I wonder what he would do with the rumbas and iPhones of the world today! You can read more about his on his Foundations website here and be sure to pick up a pamphlet while exploring!

 

where is it at?

Address: 62975 Blair Lane Joshua Tree, CA 92252

I will admit I was minutes away from making us turn around before getting here! It is quite literally in the middle of know where desert. You will have to drive on dirt roads to get here, but 4WD is not required! Just go slow :)

There is plenty of parking available in the dirt lot, but please note there is not shade! The desert can be very hot with the sun beating directly down on you, so dress appropratley!

pin gallery